What’s recently happened?
In mid-November, Portage High School was recognized as a Project ADAM Heart Safe School. The school was awarded this after integrating many precautions in the event of an incident. Over the past three years, PTS Director of Health Services Megan Clay has made efforts to expand the district’s medical emergency preparation.
Despite the reward, Clay is still adamant on doing more.
“I am excited to continue developing our staff and student education regarding sudden cardiac arrest and AED use,” said Clay.
With more Heart Safe School designations in mind for the rest of the district, Clay is determined to make these schools safer, one at a time. Through the implementation of the organization’s procedures, resources, training, and practice, her vision for having a safer district is a few steps closer to becoming a reality.
What's coming up?
On Saturday, December 7, Founders Square is hosting Mistletoe on Main, the latest holiday event in the city. Starting at 4:30 p.m, the event will be something any local Hoosier wouldn’t want to miss. To coincide with the lighting of the tree, the event will also feature a number of food services.
Vendors such as DonutNV, Three’s Kompany Kookies, and Travelin Tom’s Coffee will be offering their services at 4 p.m. Not only that, but Kiwanis Chilli Supper will also be served.
Besides the tree lighting, the main driving-point of the event is the encouraged support for Toys for Tots. Toys for Tots is a program that relies on toy donations from the likes of people who are concerned about the at-risk youth, and the event hopes to get enough donations of unwrapped gifts to truly make an impact in our resilient community. Santa’s Parade of Toys is the major contributor to this cause during this event.
To drive home the Christmas spirit, the Portage High School Choraliers will also be appearing, filling the blessed night with Christmas songs that will warm the hearts of locals. These young voices are not anything to miss out on, especially for the whole family that will find an overwhelming sense of compassion from.
Alongside Santa, Mayor Austin Bonta will be present, celebrating the holiday event among his fellow citizens.
Staff spotlight:
In an act of cherishment, Portage Township Schools would like to honor the life of Brandy Manville, one of the brightest and most welcoming faces in the office. Manville will be remembered for her contributions to Portage High School, and her impact will be cherished.
As an administrative secretary, Manville went above and beyond to not only do her job but also comfort the students at the school, bringing a sense of warmth that welcomed anyone.
Manville’s behavior and attitude through her daily life were a true display of authentic affection that can’t be imitated. She was not someone who let the hardships and struggles she was handed bother her; rather, she made sure she was the voice a lot of students and staff members needed to hear with concern and empathy.
“I have 2,200 kids. Almost everyone knows who Mrs. Manville is, so as you might understand, it’s going to be whatever the kids need as much. As we preach education, it will be secondary this week,” Principal Michael Stills said.
Manville was a true fighter who met the circumstances of the job and the world with a positive attitude. While she will be missed, she will also be admired.
Student spotlight:
Sophomore Autie Poole, who has proven herself as not only one of the brightest students in the school, is also a genuine musician who goes above and beyond to capture the perfect sound.
Poole appreciates the power of a good sound.
“The feeling of getting lost in the rhythms and the way it brought people together has always brought people together,” Poole said
Poole is one the many great members in the Portage High School band, and she has been in the band since her days in sixth grade.
Motivated by the promise of hard work paying off, Poole strives to succeed. Poole has been on the Honor Roll since she was in middle school. Currently, she is enrolled in a dual-credit Spanish class and Pre-AP English and Geometry.
“Seeing those good grades and knowing I was able to keep up with hard work just makes me so proud of myself. It’s like a continual fuel to the flame of my motivation,” she said.
However, despite her long devotion to band and her other classes, her true aspirations lie in literature.
“My future career doesn’t consist of anything related to the music industry, but I’m aiming towards becoming a published author. My aspirations just consist of being a successful writer,” she said.
Whatever life has in store for this promising young prodigy, nothing is going to get in the way of her ambition.